Have you ever wondered what music sounded like centuries ago? Beyond the familiar sounds of guitars, pianos, and violins, there’s a whole world of strange and ancient instruments that have shaped music in ways you might not expect. These aren’t your everyday instruments—they’re pieces of history that still echo with the voices and cultures of the past.
Let’s take a look at seven unique musical tools that may surprise you, each with its own curious background and unmistakable sound.
Swedish Keyed Fiddle
The Swedish keyed fiddle (nyckelharpa), a bowed string instrument with over 600 years of history, almost vanished in the early 1900s. It experienced a resurgence in the 1960s and 1970s. This unique instrument produces a rich, glorious sound that some musicians find natural to play.
With its distinct keys and sympathetic strings, the Swedish keyed fiddle can produce multiple tones and resonances simultaneously. This complex construction enables a haunting, layered quality in its sound, which many players say evokes the pastoral landscapes of Sweden. Its continued use in folk music ensembles highlights its role in preserving Swedish cultural heritage.
Today, about 100 musicians in the UK play this instrument.
Hurdy-gurdy: Cranked String Instrument
This intricate instrument, dating back a millennium, produces sound when a musician turns a crank. It’s the only musical instrument that uses this method to create music, similar to how a bow rubs strings on a violin. Despite its age, its sound is often compared to an analog synthesizer.
Often found in folk music traditions across Europe, gurdy-gurdy’s unique sound has intrigued composers and musicians for centuries. The rhythmic hum and melody it creates can accompany vocals or stand-alone, adding a rustic texture to musical compositions. Its enduring presence testifies to its singular role in the world of mechanical instruments.
Iranian Hammered Dulcimer- Santur
This beautiful and complex instrument emerged around 1000 A.D. The Iranian version typically has 72 strings played with small hammers. It demands precise wrist technique and is considered a classical instrument in its home country. In 2008, it gained wider recognition when featured on a Coldplay track.
Santur’s rich tonal possibilities make it a favorite among Iranian musicians for traditional and classical pieces. Its resonant sound is known to fill spaces with a warm, intricate melody, bringing a soulful dimension to music. Its use in modern music has introduced it to new audiences, blending ancient sounds with contemporary styles.
Mbira-Zimbabwean Thumb Piano
This traditional Zimbabwean instrument (Mbira) remains popular in Africa. It’s usually homemade, with metal keys mounted on a hardwood soundboard. Used for both religious and social events, it creates a unique buzzing sound. This buzz is thought to clear the mind, allowing the music to fill the listener’s consciousness.
The thumb piano’s metal keys, often arranged in specific patterns, produce melodies that can be simple or deeply intricate, depending on the musician’s skill. Many players embellish it with bottle caps or shells to amplify its distinctive buzzing. In Zimbabwean culture, it remains a cherished instrument for storytelling and creating communal rhythms.
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Qanun- Middle Eastern Zither
Dating back to 950 A.D., this Middle Eastern instrument features 74 to 81 strings on a wooden base. Musicians play it on their laps, plucking the strings with picks or fingernails. Its name comes from the Greek word for “rule,” as it often sets the tuning for other instruments in an ensemble.
The zither’s versatility in both melody and rhythm allows it to weave into many musical traditions across the Middle East. Its expansive range of notes makes it perfect for solos or as part of a larger ensemble. The intricate tuning required before each performance demonstrates the instrument’s revered status and the skill of the musicians who play it.
Saung- Myanmar Curved Harp
The curved harp is Myanmar’s national instrument, played by Buddhist musicians since 200 A.D. Its base comes from a naturally curved tree, with 16 silk strings plucked by fingers. During construction, a ceremony may invite spirits to dwell within the harp, believed to leave through soundholes during play and return afterward.
The curved harp is delicately crafted, often ornamented with carvings that reflect the spiritual significance of the instrument. Each string’s tone varies slightly, allowing musicians to produce melodies that reflect the gentle cadence of Myanmar’s folk traditions. The belief that spirits inhabit the harp adds to the profound cultural respect for the instrument.
Human Vocal Cords
The human voice, the oldest instrument of all, has evolved significantly over time. In the past century, classical singers have adapted to fill large concert halls with penetrating sounds. Earlier vocal techniques, as heard in 19th-century recordings, often lacked vibrato and were suited for smaller spaces like rooms or churches.
Beyond traditional singing, the human voice has developed new techniques to suit various genres, from opera to pop. Training vocal cords has become both a science and an art, with modern singers employing breath control, projection, and a vast range of tones. Each genre showcases the flexibility and unique expressiveness of this oldest musical instrument.
Wrapping Up
Each instrument—from the Swedish keyed fiddle to the Myanmar curved harp—reflects the essence of its origin, carrying stories, traditions, and unique sounds that connect generations. These instruments have evolved, adapted, and, in some cases, re-emerged, proving the timeless nature of music and human creativity.